DUTSE- The Jigawa state Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it has arrested 29 persons for allegedly hawking petrol on roadsides in the state.
Mr Muhammed Gidado, the state Commandant of the Corps, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
He said petrol hawking had been identified to be the cause of frequent fire outbreaks in parts of the state.
Gidado said that selling of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in open places in the state had been banned.
The measure, he said, was taken following public complaints that street hawking of fuel causes fire outbreaks.
Gidado, who noted that the act also causes artificial scarcity of the product in the state, said:
“This measure is informed by the public outcry on the practice which often causes fire outbreak and artificial scarcity of fuel.’’
He said 25 persons suspected to have engaged in roadside hawking of petrol and five filling station managers were arrested by his men.
“The 29 suspects were nabbed at different locations in Dutse and its environs after three weeks warning against such practice.
“Hawking petrol in open places portends great danger to the physical and socio-economic well being of the general public,’’ Gidado said.
He added that more than 7,000 litres of fuel was seized during the raid.